Thinking about getting more ammo or new firearms this weekend.

I've been visiting the site for a couple of years, but decide to join after my soon to be bride asked me if I wanted to buy a bunch of ammo this weekend. I asked how much she wanted to spend, and it caused me to considering getting a new rifle.

We are looking at getting either a large quantity of .223 ammo for my AR, or picking up an AK. About 4 months ago I decide to pickup an AR over the AK, and I'm happy with the decision, but considering recent changes I'm wondering if we might want to get an AK now, and maybe a little less ammo.

Either way I'm probably going to pick up a new hand gun as well, and I'm looking at a g17 to replace the one I sold before I moved to Texas 12 years ago. I really like my FNP9, and my Bersa 380, but it would be nice to have a different option.

I'm wondering if someone who has both a AR and AK were in my situation and didn't already own the AK would you buy it, or would you feel better with more ammo.

We're not trying to be alarmist or anything of the sort, but taking everything into considering, at the very minimum the price of certain types of firearms and magazines will only go up if you can get them at all.

I was just wanting to bounce the question off a more experience group.

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youngda9

November 13, 2012, 02:29 PM

"feel better" about what exactly ?

rodinal220

November 13, 2012, 03:20 PM

Ammo.Otherwise a firearm is nothing more than a paperweight. Ammo is also ballistic wampum.

OARNGESI

November 13, 2012, 03:45 PM

get a ak everyone should have one of each

bannockburn

November 13, 2012, 04:30 PM

apariah

It might also depend on how much shooting you plan on doing in the near future. Do you typically do more shooting with your AR versus your handguns? Do you have a place where you can regularly shoot an AK (and for that matter your AR as well)? How much ammo do you currently have, both handgun and long gun? How many mags do you have for your guns?

Just me (as I have both long guns in question), but I would probably stock up on ammo and mags for the AR first, as well as for your other guns, before I would get an AK. You also stated that you wanted to get a Glock 17. Well that's another gun to keep fed, to which you will need more 9mm. ammo and more mags for it. Basically what I'm saying is go with what you have right now versus getting into another caliber gun.

So then when you find yourself at that comfort level of having enough ammo and mags for what you already have (not sure exactly what that is myself), maybe then look into getting an AK, along with extra mags, ammo, and accessories.

Teachu2

November 13, 2012, 04:47 PM

You are better off with one gun that you are practiced up on than two different platforms with less practice.

BSA1

November 13, 2012, 04:56 PM

It is easy to get caught up in all of panic buying going on after the election. You may find your choices of firearms and dealers willing to cut prices limited. Civilian model AR's are proven performers and I see little to be gained with a AK. Likewise good ammo deals may be hard to come by right now.

I would look to the Internet for best prices on ammo and ride out buying firearms until after things settled down in a few months.

Warp

November 13, 2012, 05:11 PM

Is your AR totally reliable?

How many rounds do you have through it, and how many rounds do you still have for it?

What do you consider a large quantity of ammo?

Do you have any accessories or ad ons to your AR? Considering any?

apariah

November 13, 2012, 05:33 PM

I have a RRA Elite operator with two factory mags and 2 pmags. We still have a few hundred rounds of .223 left and would probably be buying 1000 rounds or more. We have a few hundred of 9mm, a couple of hundred of .380.

My soon to be wife is very familiar with the AR platform, probably a bit more than I am. She was actually wanting something a little different since that's what she uses when shes at drill.

By feel better, I was meaning as an AR and AK owner knowing what you know now. If you didn't already have an AK would you still buy one, or would you prefer to spend the additional fund on ammo for the AR you already have.

We already have two handguns and a carbine that shoot 9mm. So adding the glock or some 9mm is mainly because she doesn't really care for her LC9. We already buy 9mm ammo anyway, and its cheaper than .380 at least here in DFW.

We shoot a fair amount, probably 300 rounds a month of 9mm, .22lr, .380 and now .223.

Warp

November 13, 2012, 05:37 PM

I suggest:

Get more ammo. And at least a few magazines.

And shoot more.

chrt396

November 13, 2012, 05:49 PM

Get a nice FNH SLP shotgun. That'll rock your world!!

medalguy

November 13, 2012, 08:35 PM

I have both. If you plan on dragging your rifle through the mud and then shoot it, but don't need accuracy, get an AK. If you need a more accurate rifle but plan on taking a bit more care of it, get an AR.

Parts, which seldom break but are nice to have when that does happen, are far more available for an AR.

Ammo is probably more available for an AR.

Ammo is cheaper for an AK. However most of that is corrosive, which means more cleaning.

Just how are you planning on using your rifle(s)?

Warp

November 13, 2012, 08:44 PM

I have both. If you plan on dragging your rifle through the mud and then shoot it, but don't need accuracy, get an AK. If you need a more accurate rifle but plan on taking a bit more care of it, get an AR.

Parts, which seldom break but are nice to have when that does happen, are far more available for an AR.

Ammo is probably more available for an AR.

Ammo is cheaper for an AK. However most of that is corrosive, which means more cleaning.

Just how are you planning on using your rifle(s)?

No it isn't.

chris in va

November 14, 2012, 12:56 AM

Or...get the AR and a basic reloading setup. And a LOT of primers.

apariah

November 14, 2012, 01:59 AM

I know it may sound a bit funny here but since I'm vegan and she's vegetarian we don't eat meat. So any firearms we own are for the range use, home defense, or oh crap situations. I like the AR, but she doesn't just because of experience with the m4 and m16 the reservist sometime receive.

We really are just looking for another just in case weapon. As far as ammo is concerned, I've seen steel case rounds super cheap, but none of the indoor ranges in our area allows you to shoot them, so I'm hesitant to depend on something I can't train with.

I know the ammo has a good reputation, but I have no clue if something specific to one of our weapons, or my user error will cause a problem. I would prefer to find that sort of thing out in training, but none of the place we shoot allow it.

1911 guy

November 14, 2012, 09:54 AM

My opinion. Unless you were giving serious thought to an AK before, stick with buying ammo. Serious as in saving cash for it.

apariah

November 15, 2012, 12:14 AM

We were giving very serious thought to it.

twofifty

November 15, 2012, 12:20 AM

Neither.
Have you considered getting you and your girl some professional training?

justice06rr

November 15, 2012, 01:08 AM

I highly suggest getting a decent priced AK right now. They are great rifles for plinking and HD, and a whole lot of fun to shoot. Ammo can be a bit cheaper than AR's and not as finicky.

Having both an AR and AK, if I didn't have the AK47 I would buy one instead of more 5.56/223 ammo (since you said you still have a few hundred rounds on hand). Ammo is not going to dry up anytime soon. Although its good to stock up on ammo, you can still stock up slowly in the coming weeks.

Check out CenterfireSystems.com. They have decent deals for AK's around $499.

gunnutery

November 15, 2012, 01:24 AM

Just me (as I have both long guns in question), but I would probably stock up on ammo and mags for the AR first, as well as for your other guns, before I would get an AK. You also stated that you wanted to get a Glock 17. Well that's another gun to keep fed, to which you will need more 9mm. ammo and more mags for it. Basically what I'm saying is go with what you have right now versus getting into another caliber gun.

So then when you find yourself at that comfort level of having enough ammo and mags for what you already have (not sure exactly what that is myself), maybe then look into getting an AK, along with extra mags, ammo, and accessories.

This.

I'm someone who prefers an AK over an AR, but considering all, I'd stock up on ammo and mags for what you already have. Then wait for prices on AK's to come back down a bit after the hype goes down.

Warp

November 15, 2012, 01:28 AM

This.

I'm someone who prefers an AK over an AR, but considering all, I'd stock up on ammo and mags for what you already have. Then wait for prices on AK's to come back down a bit after the hype goes down.

As would I.

I realize everybody is different, but I don't consider 300 rounds to be very much at all. Heck, I just 450-500 this past weekend, between a match and some practice/training.

apariah

November 19, 2012, 03:47 PM

twofifty,

We are both interested in continued training with and without firearms. One of the reasons the AK came back to our minds is one of the classes we've been considering for early next year.

She is currently in the military, getting ready for her CHL itching for more trigger time. I've had more training and time behind the trigger than she has (With the exception of AR's) but I'm always looking for another training opportunity.

In the end we bought some ammo, a glock, and an ak. We are exceptionally happy with everything and appreciate all the feed back.

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